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Visiting San Diego - ideas on how to spend a day?

07-21-2013, 01:59 PM

I am coming to San Diego the first weekend of August for business and will have Saturday 3rd free. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to spend the day?!

I was also wondering if there were any primal shops I should take advantage of whilst I'm over? Eg skin care, vibram suppliers etc. Going slightly off topic here but interested in your thoughts - someone recommended Aveeno products to me but I'm not sure if using something with wheat or soy in it is a good idea if we are trying not to eat them?!

I think I will be staying in the Emerald Plaza area so anything in walking distance would be great.

Hi there,
I live here in "Americas Finest City". (And it gets that name for a reason.) The Emerald Plaza is just a few blocks from where I live.
There are a lot of good primal restaurants in the area. All easy walks from your hotel.

Plus lots of great seafood places. Lou and Mickey's has a great oyster bar if you like raw seafood. In the Seaport Village shopping area (which is a couple of blocks from your hotel) there are two really good places for seafood, The Charthouse , and The Fish Market. Both have lovely views out over the harbor. They do get crowded on summer weekends however so go early if you can.

As far as tourist attractions go, the SD Zoo is in a class by itself. You could walk to it from your hotel but it would be a bit of a hoof. But it would only be a 10 minute cab ride. You could spend a week there and not see the whole thing.

Don't bother with Seaworld if you only have one day.

Vibrams can be bought from the local REI store but that is not in the downtown area. They are the only authorized dealer in town. Others you might find are knockoffs.

P.s. since you want to do some shopping and will have a Saturday as your day off, I would recommend the Little Italy Farmer's Market. They have things like skin care products that would be miles better than Aveeno. There is one African lady there who sell organic shea butter mixes.

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I third the rec for SD Zoo. I used to live in an adjacent neighborhood (North Park) and I would walk there daily with my yearly pass. My favorite things to see there were the parrots, the walk-thru aviaries with the lorikeets and the humming birds and they even have a dorky animal show with parrots and sea lions among other animals that is actually pretty awesome. The grounds overall are really lovely.

There's a park nearby to the zoo (well, it's pretty much the same park the zoo is in) called Balboa park. If you like plants they have a nice arboretum. Somewhere in the area there was also this really interesting little arts and crafts plaza.

I also worked at Sea World briefly. It's a tad pricey for what you get. The only things there that really wowed me were walking through the sharks and the penguin exhibit. The food there was TERRIBLE.

There was really good gooey gelato at this place on India street which is sort of down near the Star of India, or a few miles from it.

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I was born and raised in San Diego, and there are times I miss it! I haven't been home in more than 20 years! The Zoo was awesome 20 years ago, and it's only gotten better. Balboa park is very cool. Having only one day to play around is a bummer. Seaport Village is great too, for shopping and fooding (I used to work there!), plus there are some great views of the ocean.

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There was really good gooey gelato at this place on India street which is sort of down near the Star of India, or a few miles from it.

You must be talking about Gelato Vero. Just down the hill from my old house in Mission Hills. Yes, very good.

There is a new place downtown that would be within walking distance of the OP's hotel called Chocolat. Great gelato and they have a flourless chocolate decadence cake that is mouthgasmicly good, like a wedge of fudge.

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You must be talking about Gelato Vero. Just down the hill from my old house in Mission Hills. Yes, very good.

There is a new place downtown that would be within walking distance of the OP's hotel called Chocolat. Great gelato and they have a flourless chocolate decadence cake that is mouthgasmicly good, like a wedge of fudge.

Yes, Gelato Vero. I don't know how I managed to stumble upon it. It was on my way to work and I used to get espresso drinks there and one day thought I would try the gelato. I couldn't figure out why they sold it in such tiny little cups until I tried my first one. Then it was like whoa, this is awesome!

I used to go to a place called Quel Fromage for coffee, too. It was in the gay section of town. I wonder if it is still there.

Female, 5'3", 50, Max squat: 202.5lbs. Max deadlift: 225 x 3.

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Yes, Gelato Vero. I don't know how I managed to stumble upon it. It was on my way to work and I used to get espresso drinks there and one day thought I would try the gelato. I couldn't figure out why they sold it in such tiny little cups until I tried my first one. Then it was like whoa, this is awesome!

I used to go to a place called Quel Fromage for coffee, too. It was in the gay section of town. I wonder if it is still there.

No, Quel Fromage closed a long time ago. I knew the guys that ran that place. It is now a really good Afghani restaurant called The Kyber Pass.

Good Italian gelato only needs a small helping, it is so dense and intense.

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"The Lion's Share" as an eatery name (where boar and roo are served, no less) is such a stitch! That is right up there with my all-time favorite laundromat name, which belongs to a local washery - "The Lost Sock".

No, I don't know San Diego, but I do know the Amtrak train pulls in there. The kids looked that one up - they want to combine a cross-country train ride with a trip to Sea World the next time hubby goes there on business.

I have a mantra that I have spouted for years... "If I eat right, I feel right. If I feel right, I exercise right. If I exercise right, I think right. If I think right, I eat right..." Phil-SC

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Thanks for all your suggestions. Sounds like the Zoo is the place to go!

I will try to eat at some of the restuarants. Chocolat sounds amazing - especially if it is within walking distance! There is a limit as to how much I can charge to expenses...

I've been given a shopping list by friends - "in case I get time" - does anyone know where can I buy the Aveeno products? Is there a particular shop I should go to?

Thanks again :-)

Aveeno is a pretty common brand in the states. (I don't think it's really anything special but if your friends want it....) It can be found at major drugstores such as CVS and RiteAid. The closest CVS to your hotel is 645 Market street.

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Just wanted to say a big Thank You to everyone who gave me ideas. San Diego is a lovely place to visit.

I had a lovely time at the zoo on Saturday - the baby panda was particularly cute. Also managed to get the Aveeno products so have some very happy colleagues! Sadly, I didn't get to try the restuarants recommended so I'll have to come back for a proper holiday.